Next week, the Republican National Convention is being held at New York's Madison Square Garden. The event is taking place under some of the highest security in New York since after the 9/11 attacks, and this may cause some difficulties for students who wish to explore New York.

A several-block wide area around Madison Square Garden will be under the strictest security. This area also includes the 33rd Street PATH station, and students wishing to travel to New York by train may find it easier to get off at a different station.

New Stevens students frequently like to explore New York as soon as they can. With the convention, however, students might want to reconsider those plans. Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life, recommends putting off any trip until the following week. "If you've never been to New York City, and the time you want to see it is next week, I would wait until after the convention."

Stevens has not issued any official announcement or recommendation to students, but Nilsen said that, "we [Stevens] are encouraging people just to be careful."

Many others are also planning to avoid the area during the convention. Thousands of people with jobs in Manhattan have been offered time off or are taking vacation time during the convention. Even tour groups will be scaled back.

"I'm not going on any tours," said Kevingerarrd Cannon, tour guide for A Friend in New York, while on a walking tour of Hoboken with incoming freshmen. He continued, "You actually have to take out extra insurance to take a group in ... and I wouldn't do it."

In spite of the inconveniencies caused by the convention's security, Stevens has two students participating in the convention as part of the Washington Centers program. The convention is also an opportunity for protest-minded students to get involved. "For anyone who wants to know what demonstrations or public disobedience is about, it's in our backyard," said Nilsen.